Mexico In Depth

Travel Just 4U's representative in Mexico will meet you at the airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with the Travel Just 4U Logo after you leave the secure area with your bags. Please do not leave the area until you have found your driver.

They will escort you to your private transfer and bring you to your hotel for check in. At this time they will present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Mexico. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in the country.  If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

Don't just stay near historic sites in Mexico - actually stay inside one when you visit the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotel in Mexico City - Centro Historico. Located a short walk to the Zocalo Plaza, Metropolitian Cathedral, Templo Mayor ruins, numerous museums and the busy government and business center of downtown Mexico City.

This historic hotel offers stunning architecture from the 1800s combined with modern amenities such as free high-speed internet access, only blocks from the Zocalo and Historic District of Mexico City.

Rooms offer air conditioning, desk, cable TV and private bathroom. WiFi is offered throughout. Hampton Inn & Suites Mexico City - Centro Historico features a free hot breakfast every morning. After breakfast, adults can workout in the fitness center, while the kids enjoy the game room.

This morning after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to begin this full day tour of mexico city. Your first stop will be the Museo del Templo Mayor which opened in 1987. It owes its existence to the 1978 find of the 8-ton stone disk with the image of the moon goddess Coyolxauhqui. The museum further focuses on the cult of human sacrifices in Tenochtitlán, the cultivation of cereals and corn in the floating gardens, and the history and archeology of the old Aztec temple district.

After visiting the museum you will have a city tour of one of the largest cities in the world that will leave you in amazement. Surrounded by the twin volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, more than 25 million people are today living in Mexico City. Mexico City is the political, social and cultural center of the country and has many universities, museums, and monuments. Your tour of the city centre will include a visit of the presidential palace, the Zócalo and the cathedral as well as the impressive Chapultepec Park. Formerly, the area was completely overgrown with forest and a sacred place of the Aztecs. Today it is a green oasis amidst the capital with old, shady trees, idyllic lakes, a sculpture garden, several museums and monuments (such as the Altar a la Patria in memory of the Niños Héroes), a zoo, and beautiful market stalls. Above the park is the castle, which the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian of Mexico had rebuilt in the style of his Italian villa in 1864. you will then be returned to your hotel. 

Today you will be able to visit both the Anthropological Museum and the museum Dolores Olmedo Patiño as well as the floating gardens of Xochimilco. 

The Museo Nacional de Antropología is the most frequented museum in Mexico. It has 12 exhibition halls, each of which is dedicated to a different pre-Columbian civilization of Mexico and which total an area of nearly 80,000-m². Designed in 1964 by a team led by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, the monumental construction impresses its visitors especially with a mighty pillar in the patio that supports a huge concrete umbrella. Discover the civilizations of the Olmec, Toltec, Aztecs and Maya, among many others.

From here you will then head to Xochimilco to visit the floatign gardens and museum. Xochimilco is a district in the south of Mexico City and known for its floating gardens that the Aztecs created on Lake Texcoco to supply victuals to its capital. The channels of the “Huertos Flotantes” have a total length of more than 150 km. The gardens were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and are popular with both the inhabitants of Mexico City and tourists. You will board a small boat to be able to get to know the gardens.

Afterwards you will visit the museum Dolores Olmedo Patiño. Here you find important works of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Angelina Beloff and Fernando Gamboa. Olmedo owned a successful construction company and was a loyal patron of the mentioned artists. 1992 she handed the hacienda over to the “people of Mexico.”

For the duration of your private tour within Mexico you will have a private vehicle and a driver guide to accompany you for the duration of your Mexican adventure. While your driver guide does speak English, the level may be slightly more basic than city based guides you will encounter on other guided tours. 

This is an amazing opportunity to interact with a local Mexican who will be incredibly proud to show you their country on this unique road trip. 

Please speak to your consultant if you would like to have a driver and a guide for your private tour. 

This morning, you will meet your private driver/guide who will be with you for the duration of your Mexico adventure. They will transfer you to Puebla via Teotihuacán. 

Along the way you will visit Basilicas Guadalupe. These two basilicas are dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe and are located directly next to each other. During a short walk you can visit the churches and the gardens behind it. A special highlight is the legendary cloak of the Virgin in the new, modern basilica.

Your next stop will be the huge pyramid complex of Teotihuacán after approximately 1 hour drive. It was the first city in the “New World.” Built between 250 BC and 700 AD, its population, in its heyday, amounted to approximately 125,000 – 250,000 people in about 2,300 apartment complexes; at that time, it certainly was the largest metropolis on the American continent. Only when you walk along the mighty “Avenue of the Dead” (about 1 km long) will you become aware of the dimensions of the site. The excavations, which have been executed for many years and are still systematically continued, expanding our knowledge of this past civilization every day.

From here you will get back into the car for the 2.5 hour drive to Puebla where upon arrival you will have sightseeing overview of this city. The architecture of the colonial city is determined by the colorful talavera tiles that were in use throughout the region; since new designs are constantly being invented, they continue to fascinate the onlooker to this very day. The most beautiful sights of Puebla are not far from the Zócalo and within short walking distance. A must is the cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitución – one of the most beautiful squares in Mexico.

Located in Puebla, 6.9 km from Acrópolis Puebla, Hotel Colonial has accommodations with a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a garden. Each room at the 3-star hotel has city views and free WiFi. The property provides a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

Rooms come complete with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer, while some rooms at the hotel also have a seating area. At Hotel Colonial, all rooms have a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The accommodation has a sun terrace.

The Hotel Colonial, with a prime location one block from Puebla's main square, dates back to 1668 when it was built as a Jesuit monastery. The building is catalogued as an Historic Monument, because of its magnificent colonial architecture.

Today your driver will collect you from your hotel and drive you towards Oaxaca. The first stop will be the botanical gardens in Zapotitlán. This is no garden in the usual sense, but an unspoiled landscape that you can explore via stairs and paths. Surrounded by high columnar cacti, palms, and elephant-foot trees a picnic is planned after a short walk. From the top of the hill, you have a wonderful view of the environment.

Afterwards you will begin the approximately 4.5 hour drive to Oaxaca. You will make a stop to the world of the Zapotec and Mixtec at Monte Albán. The magnificently situated ruins on an artificially flattened hilltop are surrounded by a circle of terraces, houses, temples and tombs on the slopes of the hill. Here lived the common people. At its heyday (500-800 AD), the center is said to have had about 50,000 residents.

Note: If it is too late to visit Monte Alban, the city tour of Oaxaca will take place this evening. Monte Alban would be visited the next day.

Casa Conzatti is located in the heart of Oaxaca’s city centre, only a short 5-minute walk from Santo Domingo de Guzman Temple. The hotel has free WiFi access available.

The rooms at Hotel Casa Conzatti are functional and elegantly decorated. They feature a flat-screen cable TV and a balcony. The full bathroom includes a hairdryer and free toiletries.

The property features a colonial style. Guests will be able to enjoy the facilities and the surroundings where they will be able to find cultural venues, like Juarez Theatre 280m away, or parks and gardens like El Llano.

Oaxaca offers a wide variety of typical food dishes popular around the world, like mole sauce, tlayudas and tasajo. The city centre offers a wide variety of restaurants, plus the local market also features stands that sell typical snacks and tasteful dishes.

This morning after breakfast your guide will take you around the main sights of Oaxaca. You will visit the Museo Cultural de Oaxaca located in the former Dominican monastery of the 16th century. Among the most impressive finds are goldsmiths’ works from grave 7 (1250 – 1480 AD) of Monte Albán – outstanding masterworks of Mixtec artists. But not only precious metal was highly valued, but also jewelry of jade, serpentine and turquoise, which were considered symbols of life.

Afterwards you will then tour of the center of Oaxaca, you will experience one of the most beautiful colonial towns of Mexico. Situated in the Valle Central, Oaxaca is part of the tropics climatically, but owing to its altitude (1,500m), the mean annual temperature is a pleasant 21°C. Stroll the old cobbled streets, and do not neglect to visit – besides the magnificent church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the ever-bustling Zócalo – one of the many colorful markets.

Today you will be transferred to Tehuantepec with stops at Tule & the Archaeological site of Mitla.  Between Oaxaca and Mitla lies the peaceful village of Santa María del Tule. Next to the small church in the center of the village, you will stop here to visit the enormous ahuehuete tree, which has grown more than 36.2 m round during its about 2,000 years’ lifetime before continuing in for approximately an hour to the archaeological site of Mitla. 

The importance of this “place of the dead” is still not clear and shows how much knowledge has been lost in the course of history. The buildings were probably built entirely by the Zapotec people. The Group of the Columns with the Patio of the Mosaics (Patio de las Grecas) is considered one of the highlights of pre-Columbian architecture in Mexico. Mitla was the seat of the “Great Seer” and for many years the religious center of the Zapotec. Today the neighborhood of Mitla is marked by small picturesque markets where weavings and other articles are offered.

Heading onward, you will have a stopover in the small village of Santiago Matatlán and visit of a mezcal distillery. The famous Mexican liquor from the flesh of agaves always contains more than 40% alcohol. It is produced from the heart of the plant after it has blossomed for the first time. The leaves are cut, and the “piña” is cooked and ground; the mash thus obtained is fermented and distilled several times. A mezcal tasting is incomplete, of course, without the famous worm (gusano del maguey) – which, strictly speaking, is a caterpillar.

 Your last stop will be at the Playa Cangrejo. This Pacific beach lines the wide bay for many kilometers. In the little waterfront restaurant – an open Las Palapas hut – you will get the best fruit de mer in all of Oaxaca. Weather permitting, you may also enjoy a refreshing swim in the Pacific or take a relaxing walk in the sand.

Offering outdoor pool and an indoor pool, Hotel Calli is located in the suburbs of Santo Domingo Tehuantepec. It has free WiFi access available and the breakfast is included.

Rooms here will provide you with a TV, air conditioning and a balcony. Featuring a shower, the private bathrooms also come with free toiletries. Some rooms have a garden view.

The on-site restaurant at Hotel Calli opens from 07:00 to 23:00 and is specialized in typical regional food. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, like playing pool in the billiards. 

Today's drive will take you to San Cristóbal de las Casas. You will drive fro approximately 5 hours before arriving to for a boat trip through the magnificent Sumidero Canyon. this boat will lead you through the deep gorge carved by the Río Grijalva. Its steep bluffs, rising up to 1,000m remind us of Nordic fjords. High waterfalls and rocks copiously overgrown with fern and moss captivate us by their diversity. The Sumidero National Park features tropical vegetation and exotic animals such as little alligators, toucans, pelicans, and herons.

Afterwards you will jump back in the car for the 1 hour drive to San Cristóbal de las Casas and check in to your hotel. 

Located in downtown San Cristobal de Las Casas, this 4-star hotel is 3 blocks from San Cristobal Cathedral. The hotel offers a free Wi-Fi zone.

Hotel Mansion Del Valle offers rooms furnished with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Decorated with warm, Mexican colours, each room has a private bathroom and includes free toiletries. Some rooms have a safe.

Guests can dine at the Mansion Del Valle's La Mechita restaurant, serving traditional Mexican cuisine and regional wine. Room service is also available. Guests of Hotel Mansion can relax on the sun terrace and enjoy the beautiful scenery of San Cristobal. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities and free parking. 

Your guide will pick you up form your hotel for this city tour. At an altitude of 2,133m, San Cristóbal de las Casas offers a pleasant climate to its visitors. Since 1844, the name of the city has commemorated the important Father Bartolomé de Las Casas. From the Zócalo, you walk through the historic center to the Cathedral and to the most beautiful building of San Cristóbal, the church Iglesia del Convento Santo Domingo.

You will then drive to visit to the Indian village of Chamula – the ceremonial center of the Chamula and Zinacantán. In the church Catholic and Mayan rituals combine in fascinating ways. The church has no seating; the floor is covered with pine needles and straw. Families with healers invoke spirits while kneeling before the statues of the 12 Apostles. 

From Chamula you will continue onto Zinacantán. Zinacantán means “place of bats” and is a Nahuatl name that dates back to the times of the Conquista. Visit the mighty colonial church and get to know the descendants of the Mayas as a dynamic and self-confident community – more than 99 % of the Tzotzil continue to use their indigenous language. After the short tour of the town, you are welcome to visit the small weaving mill of three sisters. Relishing freshly cooked tortillas, you'll learn more about life in Zinacantán and the art of weaving from the three committed women before heading back to San Cristóbal de las Casas

Today's drive will take you to Palenque, via the town of Villahermosa however depending on the traffic situation, a different route to Palenque can be taken and instead you may pass the Misol-Ha waterfalls. 

About 40 km south of Palenque you will be able to stop at the sweeping waterfalls of Roberto Barrios. Hidden in the subtropical jungle of Chiapas you'll find various terraces of charming water cascades along several hundred metres of beautiful flora. The turquoise-blue water and the untouched nature invite to take a bath in the small rock basins. A mysterious, green oasis which unites adventure and relaxation. Afterwards, you'll continue onto Palenque. 

The Ciudad Real Palenque lies directly on Palenque’s main road, guarded by trees and shrubs, and is therefore very well connected to the archaeological zone and the city center. Colonial arches, the spectacular palm-roof of the restaurant and scattered wall sections of unprocessed natural stone characterize its Mexican-Cuban architecture, creating a pleasant ambience. 

The spacious lobby makes an impression with its wooden floors in herringbone patterns, warm colors in overtones and the individual sitting areas conditioned with rattan furniture. The elegant living room is decorated with white stone, while the high ceiling, which boasts simple chandeliers, has an impressive wooden architecture. The lushly landscaped garden is a true oasis of tranquility: hammocks stretch among shady palm trees and the large pool, slide included, provides cooling.

Your drive today will take you from Palenque to Campeche via the archaeological site of Palenque. From the village of Palenque, you will reach the most beautiful ruined site in all of Mexico. Founded around 300 BC, Palenque flourished in the 7th and 8th centuries AD. All buildings that are still visible date from this period, e.g., the Temple of Inscriptions with more than 620 hieroglyphs that tell King Pacal’s history, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Sun, and the North Temple with its stucco remains and military scenes. 

After this tour, you will head onwards towards Campeche, upon arrival you will have a sightseeing tour of this interesting town. The city of Campeche is surrounded by a wall that was necessary to defend the rich city against pirates. On this tour you will visit the narrow streets of the major port city with its restored colonial buildings, the Zócalo and the Cathedral of La Concepción. Go back to the era of the Spanish conquistadores before heading to your hotel to have the evening at leisure. 

Situated next to San Martin Park in central Campeche, Hotel Plaza Campeche offers an outdoor pool, free private parking and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. The seafront is just 500 m away.

Decorated in a classic style, each modern room at the Plaza Campeche includes a flat-screen TV, a safe and a coffee machine. Bathrooms come with a hairdryer.

The hotel’s Bicentenario restaurant serves Mexican and international cuisine, including typical regional dishes. There is also a 24-hour café and an elegant bar where you can enjoy drinks and snacks.

Hotel Plaza Campeche is located in the historic city centre, a 3-minute walk from Campeche Cathedral and Independencia Park.

This morning, your driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to visit the Ecomuseo del Cacao, where you'll learn interesting facts about the history of cocoa and its mystical connection with Maya culture. Nestled in a beautiful garden site with plantations, numerous orchids as well as indigenous fauna, you will find traditional Maya houses, in which you can find out information on growing and cultivating cocoa plants and the production of chocolate. You can try the traditional Maya drink made from cocoa beans and spices and enjoy the sweet and spicy taste of the “black gold."

Continuing on and immersing yourself in the history of the late Classic Maya period you will head to the Uxmal Ruins. The name Uxmal means “built three times.” Built around 600 to 950 AD, the meaning of many buildings has not yet been fully unraveled. The site impresses the visitors with decorated façades, vast terraces, squares, columns, and archways. You will have a visit around these unique ruins before heading to your hotel in Uxmal.

Only a few minutes away by foot from the archaeological center of the Mayan city of Uxmal you’ll find the “Hacienda Uxmal”. This hotel, with its colonial style, offers a lot of charm and a feeling of coziness. 

Carefully placed details like the hand painted tiles in the bathrooms and the spa bear witness to the enchantment of an hacienda from times long past. In addition to the cozy swings on the terraces and the wooden arches, the Hacienda also boasts a botanical garden that presents the typical flora and fauna of Yucatán. 

The two pools and the jogging track make sporting activities easy and attractive. The chefs, all originally from the area, often use self-made ingredients in the gourmet restaurant to further spoil guests with specialties from Yucatán. 

Enjoy a cool drink in the evening at the outdoor bar or listen to a guitar trio. The Hacienda looks back on a long tradition and remains faithful to Uxmal’s historical character.

Your drive today will take you approximately 1.5 hours from Uxmal to Merida. Upon arrival you will have an orientation city tour of Merida before checking in to your hotel and having the rest of the day at leisure. 

Merida is the colonial capital of Yucatán. Founded in 1542, Mérida is the economic and cultural capital of Yucatán up to the present day. The town impresses the visitor with colonial charm, narrow streets, and romantic horse-drawn carriages. The influence of Spain and France can be noticed all over the city. The Champs-Elysées, for example, became a model for the Paseo de Montejo. On your tour, you will see the cathedral, the Palacio Municipal, and the Casa de Montejo, the house where the founder of the city was born.

Situated in Mérida, 700 m from Merida Cathedral, Holiday Inn Express - Merida Centro features accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a shared lounge and a garden. Boasting a terrace, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around 800m from Main Square, 1.3 km from Montejo Avenue and 1 km from La Mejorada Park. The property provides an outdoor pool, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi is available.

At the hotel, rooms come with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The rooms at Holiday Inn Express - Merida Centro have air conditioning and a wardrobe. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast.

You will drive approximately 2 hours this morning  to visit the famous Chichén Itzá. Chichen Itza – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – is the best restored of Yucatan’s Mayan sites. To date, only about 30 of the many buildings buried at Chichén Itzá and overgrown by the jungle have been uncovered and restored. “El Castillo,” the most impressive building (30 m high), rises far beyond the site. “El Caracol” reminds us of a snail shell. The observatory was used by the Maya, among other things, for observing Venus and its orbit.

From Chichen Itza we head to the white sandy beaches of the Riviera Maya (approx. 3 ½ hour drive) where you will be dropped off at your hotel in Tulum.

Among acres of tropical gardens and jungle, Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is located just minutes' from the ancient Mayan ruins and the trendy and bohemian town of Tulum. Dreams Tulum is a AAA Four Diamond award-winning resort, with all the benefits of Unlimited-Luxury® - where everything is included.

Dreams Tulum’s magnificent Mexican colonial architecture blends tastefully with an up scale contemporary design where every room offers a private and furnished terrace or balcony, marble bathroom, daily refreshed mini-bar and 24-hour room service. Dreams Tulum also offers a secluded adults-only section and swim out suites for direct access to a pool. Additionally, there is a splash park for kids located near the Explorer’s Club. The pools are heated from December and March depending on climate conditions.

In the nine exclusive restaurants, delicacies from all over the world are served, while, in the evening the bars invite you to spend a good time. The luxurious rooms and suites offer the ultimate in comfort. Elegant and tastefully decorated, they also feature marble floors and many lovely Mexican details. In addition, each room has a balcony overlooking the ocean or the garden.

Dreams Tulum sits on 3.2 km of powdery white sand with activities to make the whole family happy including on-site watersports and dive shop, complimentary greens fees at the nearby Riviera Maya Golf Club, an Explorer’s Club for Kids and a Core Zone Teens Club.

The Dreams Spa by Pevonia® offers serene jungle and beach cabins, a spa pantry for guests to create their own spa products and a Temazcal for a traditional Mayan spa ceremony experience. With authentic and gourmet dining options, unlimited top-shelf spirits and nightly entertainment, guests can enjoy a Dream vacation at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa.

Today you will have the chance to visit the island of Cozumel. You will be picked up from your hotel in Tulum and taken to Palya del Carmen where you will board a ferry towards Cozumel. 

Your first stop will be the Archaeological Zone of San Gervasio. As a visitor with a special interest in history, you should not miss San Gervasio, the largest archaeological site of Cozumel. Established about 300 AD over the most important aquifer of the island, the place had its heyday in the last centuries preceding the arrival of the Spanish. Since it maintained intense trade and religious relations with Yucatán, you will find that its buildings show distinct references to the mainland architecture besides elements of the original local style.

You will then visit the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park which is the largest protected nature preserve of Cozumel Island. Discover the unique nature of the southernmost point of the island, the intense surge breaking on the open eastern shore, the historic lighthouse of Celarain with its small maritime museum, and the small archaeological zone along the access road.

By way of contrast, you can enjoy protected bays, which are ideal for a refreshing swim, and a boat tour through the mangrove forests of Laguna Colombia; just a bit of luck, and you will see crocodiles and a lot of other inhabitants of this nature preserve.

Another stop today will be at the Chankanaab theme park. Chankanaab means “little sea” in Mayan language. The large amusement park is located directly in the “National Marine Park” on the western coast of Cozumel Island. Enjoy the wide sandy beach with its many offers – from snorkeling along Chankanaab Reef to just dangling your feet in the water of Chankanaab Lagoon. The fully equipped park features many attractions, e.g., replicas of Mexican archaeological sites, Mayan houses, a crocodile station, and, of course, the sea lions show.

After a full day on this island you will ferry back to palya del carmen and transfer back to your hotel in Tulum.

Note: The entrance fee is not included, USD 30,00 per person

Tulum has a New Age vibe, jungle-shrouded restaurants and white sand beaches that have made it Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula hot spot. Once a sleepy off-the-grid beach town, Tulum is now a popular Mexican Caribbean vacation destination that offers countless activities and adventures for visitors. Here’s our pick of the best activities around.

Dive into the Gran Cenote: One of the advantages to being in the Yucatan Peninsula is that you’re surrounded by natural sinkholes, otherwise known as cenotes. In Tulum, you’ll be within a stone’s throw of some of the area’s most magnificent examples – El Gran Cenote, Calavera and Carwash are some of the most well known

Go swimming in the Caribbean: Yes, OK, it sounds obvious, but it’s actually one of the very best things to do in Tulum. When the ocean is calm, it’s crystal clear and you can see right down to the bottom.

Check out turtles in their natural habitat: If you’re into nature, then this is undoubtedly one of the must-do things to do when visiting Tulum. Each year from May to October, most of the coastline experiences sea turtle nesting season.

Visit the Mayan ruins: This is arguably the biggest cultural pull Tulum offers, and it’s easy to see why, as year after year tourists flock to these superbly located Mayan ruins.

Try out the ceviche at El Camello: This has long been one of Tulum’s favorite food spots due to the ridiculously fresh and flavorsome ceviche and seafood served on the daily.

Stop off at multidisciplinary museum Sfer IK: This multidisciplinary museum located in a huge sphere made from natural materials features visual artists, workshops and artist residencies focusing on interdisciplinary projects and new ways of experiencing and creating art.

Big farewell to your private driver-guide today as you will have the morning at leisure before your driver will transfer you to Cancun airport for your onward flight. This transfer will take approximately 2 hours.